Prologue
Kazuya used Presence Erasure to sneak to Haruka's house. He carefully walked through the house, finding Haruka's room. After some time, he found it and opened it. The moment he saw that Haruka was there, he turned off the Presence Erasure and looked at her.
Chapter 6- Parents
"Kazuya!? What are you doing here?! How did you came here?!"
"Please don't shout, I'll be busted."
Kazuya calmly said that in fron of Haruka, but Haruka is still panicking and and immediately dialed the police's number.
"Mr. Police! Could you help me? There's a pervert who sneaked at my room!"
Despite seeing all that, Kazuya just stood there, wearing his smile.
"Haruka, before the police comes, could we please talk? The problem you said to me is not the root of your problem, right? Could you please tell me?"
Haruka was shocked at first, but some minutes later, she glared at Kazuya's smiling face and said:
"Why should I? We just met 1 week ago. We're not even friends! So why do I have to tell you my problems?"
Kazuya's smile didn't even shook and just continued to smile.
"Then, Haruka, If you won't tell me your problems, can I just guess? Someone is expecting great from you, because of that, you are filled with pressure and was going to break down. But you can't tell them that you can't do it, instead, just worked harder than anyone else. But it's breaking you, is that right?"
Kazuya hit the mark, as a result, Haruka stared at Kazuya as if saying "How did you knew that?"
"So my guess is right, huh?"
"So... What if you knew my problem!? It's not like you can help me or anything! It's not like you can solve the problem! So what the hell you can do for me!?"
Haruka shouted that with all her voice, but luckily, no one heard her. Confirming that no one heard that, Kazuya gave his reply.
"Your right, I can't solve your problem. But I can say one thing to you."
Kazuya took a step, and continued what he's saying.
"Talk to your parents about it. If you put your heart into it, they will listen to you. Tell them about your problems, tell them about it."
"That's impossible! They wouldn't listen to me! If the problem can be solve with just that then I shouldn't have suffered! There's no way they would listen!"
Kazuya took a deep breath and shouted with all his heart.
"If you thought that you already lost even though your still heading into battle, there's no way you can win! Haruka, they're your parent! No matter what is that, they will listen! Because every parent wants their children to walk the right path!"
Haruka looked at the ground and said at him with a low voice.
"Can I really do it? Can I really convince my parents?"
"Of course, because the Haruka Tomoe I knew will never back down on a challenge."
That one last push gave Haruka strength, she closed her eyes and attempted to give her gratitude to Kazuya. But the moment she opened her eyes, Kazuya is nowhere to be found.
She tried to look for him but a knock from the door made her stop it.
"Haruka, there are cops outside, what happened? I heard some screams here, are you okay?"
Worriedly said by her father while still holding on a broom.
"No, I'm fine. I have a bit of a misunderstanding, so I'm going to apologize to the police for dragging them to this mess."
Haruka hurriedly apologized to the cops and it turned out fine. After that, Haruka came back to her room where her parents are waiting.
"Haruka, is it okay now?"
"Yup, it's okay now. Nothing to worry about."
Haruka took a deep breath silently. This is something that she tried to do in the past, but failed, the fact that she can fail again just haunts her. But the words of Kazuya is the only thing that made her to give it one last push.
"Mother, Father, I have something to tell you. It's pretty important, so I want you to listen to me."
+++++
"Father, Mother, I can't continue it anymore. I want to make you proud, that's true but... I really can't take it anymore. You want me to get the best grades in class, but... in truth, I'm just an average girl, I don't have any true talent. That's why... I have to work the hardest! I have to give up friends and sleep just for this. Somehow, I was able to pull it off for three years, but I'm already tired. I don't want to do this for an another year. Please... let me take it easy."
With her sincere feelings, Haruka conveyed all of her problems. She delivered her piece to her parents that is now listening, worriedly and was about to cry. After Haruka spoke, her mother, replies:
"I'm sorry, Haruka, I'm only thinking about your future, yet I didn't even realized that your already breaking yourself for what I told you! I'm very sorry, Haruka, please forgive me!"
While still crying, Haruka's mother gave her a tight hug. Feeling the warm hug, Haruka cried too.
"No, Mom, It's not your fault!"
The two cried and apologized to each other for a while.
"Good grief, Looks like the results are good. Haruka, like I said, you can do this."
Kazuya, who was in front of Haruka's house was observing from there. Looks like all's well, ends well. Kazuya felt the Soul Seal came back to him. It means Haruka Tomoe's case is now over.
+++++
After that little soap opera, Haruka's mother promised to not pressure her to get better grades, instead just cheer for her. With that in mind, Haruka goes to sleep.
"I really swear that I saw Kazuya here earlier. Was it just an imagination? or hallucination? If I'm going to hallucinate, why does it have to be him?"
Haruka hugged her pillow tight and have gone to sleep. The next morning, Haruka immediately opened her computer searched for her answer.
"So it's really hallucination, huh? There's nothing to worry about since it's already over."
Haruka prepared for school, and was about to go out and open the door, when he saw Kazuya waiting outside. Kazuya wants to confirm if the case is really over, so he came over to check Haruka.
Haruka opened the door and met Kazuya.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"I figured that we should walk home together."
"I see."
Haruka did not refused his proposal, instead just nodded. Haruka and Kazuya walked together to school.
While they're doing that, Haruka's heart was beating so fast, that she's afraid Kazuya might hear it.
"Why is my heart beating so fast? Why am I nervous in front of this guy? Is the hallucination I just saw really him? Is that a sign of something else?"
Haruka's just staring at the ground, but there's so many things popping at her head. Kazuya can't endure the silence, so he initiated a conversation.
"So is your problem already solved?"
Haruka stared at Kazuya's eyes for a little while then gave her reply.
"Yup, I'm okay now!"
She shouted that and let out a light chuckle. While Haruka's chuckling, she remembered one thing, she intend to ask.
"Umm, Kazuya, do you came at my room yesterday?"
"No, I did not."
A straightforward answer. Kazuya directly said that he didn't came, while in truth, he really came. Haruka just let out a sigh, then stared at the sky.
After some walking, they reached the school. The two said their goodbye's on the shoe locker. Kazuya smiled and mumbled to himself:
"So it's really over, huh?"
+++++
"Hey, this is my for you diagnosis, listen carefully."
Haruka gulped for a moment then lend her ears to the doctor. Haruka came to the hospital for check-up after school. She's so worried about the hallucination, her heart is beating so fast, and she's so nervous around someone, those are the symptoms.
"Girl, you're just lovestruck."
Haruka stared at the doctor as if saying "I don't have time for your jokes." The doctor caught on her gaze and explained the situation more.
"Girl, your really lovestruck. Your seeing hallucination of a certain someone, your heart is beating so fast, and your getting nervous around someone, are all signs of love!"
The doctor gave the full explanation. After that, Haruka's cheeks became red.
"Do... Do... You... Mean... I'm... In Love... With That Guy?!"
Haruka was stuttered at her words, but the doctor got her message and nodded in return. With that, Haruka has gone home, thinking about what to do now.
"So I'm in love, huh? So sad, that my first love is that guy. But... even if it's just a hallucination, he gave me the strength at that time. I guess... it's not bad if it's him."
In that night, Haruka browsed the computer, about what to do if your in love.
+++++
"Woah!"
While walking at the streets, Kazuya saw a cat with a beautiful fur. Because of his amazement, he just let out a "Woah!" and continued walking on his way. He is now on his way to school. With the case closed, he is now walking on his way with a light-hearted feeling.
In a distance, not so far away from here, Haruka was calling Kazuya, and it made him look at her. Kazuya stopped walking because Haruka is calling to him, while Haruka continued to walk to close the distance between her and Kazuya.
And when Haruka was on the right distance, she stood in front of Kazuya looked at him in the eye, and said:
"I Love You, please come at Sunday, 11:00, at the usual McDonalds."
Haruka's face was beet red because of the embarrassment. Despite all that, she exits the scene with dignity. After hearing that, Kazuya's face became red too, his eyes are spinning and doesn't know what to do.
He received so many love letters but none of them confessed to him in person. So Kazuya doesn't know how to reply. He just decided that he's going to come in Sunday.
After some minutes after Haruka left, Kazuya continued on his walk to school. Unknown to him, there are two more people who heard Haruka's confession. They're houses are really close to the street so It's not shocking if these two overheard the conversation.
"What the heck! Another woman confessed to Kazuya again! Even the unattainable Haruka Tomoe fell for him too! I wish I am him!"
Yuu shouted on his head. While he's walking at the other side of the road, he overheard the conversation and he's now getting jealous of Kazuya's popularity.
"Haruka Tomoe! So Ms.Tomoe, like Kazuya! This is unbelievable!"
Hideko on the other hand, was about to gain heart attack from the shock. This two overheard Kazuya and Haruka's conversation. In the end, the two decided to not speak to Kazuya about it.
+++++
"Is my confession good at all? It's definitely good, I mean, I practiced it over and over. I read at the internet that I have to confess, so I just did that."
Haruka is still blushing from the embarrassment, even though she's in her room now. While Haruka was thinking if her confession was good, Hideko, was staring at her with eyes similar to an observant.
"This girl, Haruka Tomoe, is very beautiful not to mention, she's very intelligent too. She's a great match for Kazuya. This is great, If Kazuya accepts that, he can have a girlfriend. I always thought that a handsome guy like Kazuya should have a girlfriend."
Even though Hideko was thinking that, she's actually very sad inside. She might not admit it, but she's very sad. While having these monologues for themselves, Kazuya on the other hand, was having his own monologue too.
"So... Haruka, loves me, huh? It's been a while since I heard that word, no one would love a murderer after all."
Every time he hear the word "I Love You", only one person, came to his mind. The figure of a girl in a kimono while showering herself in the cherry blossoms can seen.
Knowing that the past can't be changed anymore, he closed his eyes and tried to erase the figure of the girl in the kimono in his mind. Then, he focused on the lesson like nothing happened at all. With that, the class for today is now over.
+++++
"What should I do? What should I wear? Should I come early? or not?"
Sunday, 10:00, that's the date today. Haruka asked Kazuya to go to McDonalds at Sunday, 12:00, meaning she's asking Kazuya on date. She's hesitating to what to wear. After one hour, she decided on something.
It was a white, one-piece dress with frills on the skirt, chest and sleeves. Since it's already summer, she wore a short-sleeves. The meeting time was 12:00, but because of her excitement, she's already there at the time of 11:00.
But some question popped out of Haruka's head.
"Is Kazuya going to come?"
At the last date, Kazuya waited for the whole day, yet she didn't came, so it's possible that he wants to get revenge to her. At the time of 11:15, her worries became much larger. "She came early so it's natural that Kazuya won't come at that time", that thought never crossed her mind. At 11:20, she became a paranoid and thinking things like "Is he going to come or not? I bet he's still angry. I guess he wouldn't date a girl like me.
That line of thoughts, continued for a little while. At the exact 11:30, Kazuya's walking figure can be seen. When he saw Haruka, he waved his hands as a sign that he's there. The moment Haruka saw Kazuya, all of her worries were gone.
"Sorry, did you wait too long? I intend to came early but I guess you early than me."
With a smile on his face, Kazuya said to her. In that smile, Haruka was filled with assurance and replied:
"Yup, you bet I waited too long, the man has to wait, you know!"
"Yeah, sorry,"
Kazuya took a glance at Haruka's outfit and said:
"Haruka, your dress is pretty."
"Uwaah!"
"Uwaah?"
Haruka was too shocked to hear that, and instead just let out an "Uwaah!" sound. Her face was red but she's happy too. With that, the two started to walk to their destination.
Beside the establishment of McDonalds, there's two people spying there.
"So you have to praise her dress first, huh? Kazuya, your a natural lady killer, I can learn a lot from you!"
One is Yuu, who is now stalking the date to gather information about lady killing.
"Waah! They're going on a date! Kazuya praised her dress too! I wish he praise my dress too from time to time, but... why am I wishing for my dress to be praised by Kazuya!"
Hideko, she's stalking the date too because she's top worried about it. She's excusing that it will be good if the two of them got together but deep inside her, she's very worried.
Let's go back to the two people having the date. Haruka browsed the internet to know the things she have to do at a date.
First, you should watch your behavior! Girls who has a bad behavior can be a turn-off!
Second, you should watch the movie first, then go out for lunch. It will be good so you can have something to talk about at lunch.
Third, you can decide where to go after lunch, it could be an arcade, a park or even a mall. As long as the two of enjoys it.
Remembering the pointers, Haruka clenched her fist while her eyes are sparkling.
"I can do this! I will make Kazuya fall for me!"
The two walked together to the cinemas. Meanwhile, the two stalkers, not even knowing that they're one, are silently following their footsteps. Because they have the same route, and they're not paying attention to the surroundings, Yuu and Hideko bumped at each other.
"I'm sorry, I'm not paying attention."
"No, It's not your fault. It's me who doesn't pay attention to the surroundings."
They didn't saw each other since they're looking at the ground, but the moment they raised their heads, they immediately recognized each other's faces.
"Yuu! What are you doing here?"
"Hideko! I can say the same thing to you!"
Judging from the situation, they both figured out that they're stalking Kazuya. Because of that, they just let out a sigh then Hideko asked Yuu:
"Yuu, why are you stalking Kazuya?"
"Simply, because I want to know what to do when I have a girlfriend for myself."
A direct answer was given to Hideko. Yuu already knows the reason for Hideko's stalking so he didn't ask. After that, the two stood up, removed the dirt from their pants and skirts and moved on as if something didn't happened.
The two became awkward at each for a while, but when they realized again that they have the same goal, they gave a handshake to each other and promised to help each other.
"I already knew the reason, but I'm going to ask for confirmation. Why are you stalking Kazuya?"
Yuu asked this question for confirmation. He already knew that Hideko is stalking Kazuya because she's worried that they'll be a couple. But there's still a slim chance that he's wrong so asked the question.
"I was wondering if Haruka is perfect maych for Kazuya."
Hideko answered with a calm and composed face. Being calm in every situations are one of Hideko's traits.
"What are you? A mother?"
Yuu wants to say that, but he couldn't pull the words from his mouth. Simply because he might receive an attack from Hideko. With that, the two worked together, stalking the two people having the date.
+++++
"Almost all of the movies are 18+!"
Haruka didn't reserved they're seats, so she don't have the slightest idea, about the airing shows.
"Haruka, we can't watch it since we're underage. So how about it?"
Kazuya pointed his finger at a certain show. It's a show where otaku and kids are willing to enter. It's Magical Girl, Rarako-tan!
Having no choice, the two bought tickets to watch it then entered the cinemas. All of the audiences are full with kids and adults that most likely an otaku.
They took the seat and watched the movie. While they're watching the show, all of the kids are shouting so they can't concentrate. They're seatmates always spoil the next scene. So after the show, Haruka's mind is full of irritation.
As if Kazuya read her mind, Kazuya proposed that they should eat some lunch to cool off.
"If she didn't calmed down after that. I'm going to use Dead Calm."
Kazuya thought that. Although, Kazuya was being disturbed too, he didn't paid it any mind and just focused on the show. You might ask, how can he focus on the movie even when he's distracted?
Kazuya is a samurai and a swordsman. If some disturbance from the enemy occurs they have to focus on one enemy. Without distracting themselves, they have to fight the enemy with focus. It's a hard technique to master but it will surely be an asset.
Kazuya applied that technique, that's why he was able to enjoy the show to the fullest. With that, the two walked again towards a cafe to eat lunch. Meanwhile, the two stalkers just got out of the cinemas.
"It's too noisy inside! I can't take it anymore! Why does the staff doesn't make them stop?"
Yuu shouted the moment he got out.
"Yuu, it seems they're going to a cafe!"
Hideko immediately saw the two and called Yuu. Yuu on the other hand, is still complaining about the noisiness of the cinemas. After some minutes, he calmed down and stalked Kazuya again.
While they're stalking, they encountered a certain person they don't want to encounter.
"Hajime! Why are you here?"
"Huh? I just want to watch a movie. Is there's something wrong with that?"
With his rugged voice, Hajime said his reason for coming at the cinemas.
"Then, let me ask. Why are the two of you here in a cinemas? Are you in a date?"
"No way!"
"What a direct answer. Then why are you going to watch a movie together?"
Hajime continued his question. Yuu and Hideko can't answer the question Hajime just fired. They can't say that "Were stalking Kazuya!"
Hajime stared at them for a minute then proposed something.
"Then, should we talk to that cafe over there."
There's a lightbulb popped at Yuu and Hideko's head. It means they have an idea.
"Then, let's go there!"
"Exactly!"
They both said those words with sparkle in their eyes. If they go on that cafe, they can still stalk Kazuya without having to left Hajime.
But there's one flaw on this plan. If Hajime saw Kazuya and Haruka, it's possible that he will interfere. Yuu and Hideko doesn't want to interfere to the date, so this is a one huge gamble. Should they give up on stalking Kazuya and go to a different cafe? or Continue to the said cafe and bite the risks?
At the end, the two decided to not stalk Kazuya any futher and just hang out with Hajime. There's no reason to take the risk, so they just decided to give up.
"Umm, Hajime, let's just forget about that cafe. Let's go to a different one instead."
Proposed by Yuu. Having no reason to decline, Hajime accepted their proposal. With that, the three have gone to a different cafe. But luck doesn't sided with the two stalker. The moment they took their seats, Hideko and Yuu saw Kazuya at the far back corner of the cafe.
"Why the hell Kazuya is here!?"
Let me explain. Hideko saw Kazuya and Haruka beside a cafe, but Hajime already interfered to her line of sight, so she didn't saw what happened next. Since the last thing she saw are Kazuya and Haruka are beside the cafe, she assumed that they entered that particular cafe.
But she didn't saw the the truth. Kazuya and Haruka just passed on that cafe, they actually intend to go to the next cafe, where all of them sits right now.
"It doesn't seem that Hajime noticed Kazuya so we're still safe."
"Yes. We just have to make sure that Hajime doesn't see Kazuya. We have to interfere to his line of sight if necessary."
The two nodded to each other then gone back to their positions.
"Mister, may I take your order?"
The voice of the waitress asking for their orders can be heard even in Kazuya's seat. Kazuya noticed that voice, and remembered something.
"Haruka, now that you think about it. We're just talking about the movie but we still haven't ordered any food."
"Now that you mentioned it, we still hadn't did that. We're too deep on our conversation that we actually forgot it."
Haruka followed up with Kazuya's statement. Kazuya looked at the back of the waitress as he raise his hand to call for her. Since the waitress is blocking their lines of sight, Kazuya didn't saw the three people at the front.
Hideko and Yuu realized that Kazuya is looking at their direction and the waitress is blocking them so they're safe. But if Kazuya calls the waitress, she will go to Kazuya's seat and the only wall they have will be gone, and Kazuya will see them.
They have to keep the waitress standing in her position until Kazuya stop looking at their direction.
"Uh, it seems that another customer is calling for me."
The moment they heard that. They immediately said:
"Wait a minute, we're going to order now. One Cafe au lait!"
"Cappuccino for me!"
"Iced Coffee for me."
After Yuu placed his order, Hideko and Hajime followed up with them. The waitress listed the order then came back to the counter. They let the waitress go since Kazuya is not looking at their direction anymore. He was now talking to a different waiter.
"Now we just have to guard Hajime again."
Now, they're back to their usual situation. Hajime isn't looking to Kazuya's direction so it's still safe. But minutes later, Kazuya stood up, it seems he was going to the counter. Yuu relaxed at first, since he's just going to the counter. But they remembered something, they're seat are just in front of the counter.
"Damn!!!"
If he's going to the counter, then he will surely see their faces. Even if Kazuya doesn't see them, if Hajime does, it's game over. Yuu and Hideko was racking their brains, for answers. What are they going to do?
An idea struck Hideko, she thought it for a while. Then, she suddenly prayed. When Kazuya is in a range where he can clearly see them, a stranger passed by and blocked his sight.
"Yes!"
With that, Kazuya did not saw Hideko and Yuu, but... it's just for a split second. Kazuya stopped walking to give way to the stranger. Having realizing that if Kazuya stops walking, there will be no point, so she fell into despair.
And there worst fears, became true.
"Hajime? Yuu? Hideko? Is that you?"
Hajime who is just staring at his Iced Tea earlier, rises his head and saw Kazuya. Realizing that the two failed, they just clicked their tongue's out of frustration.
With that, the Haruka and Kazuya's date was disturbed by Hajime, Yuu and Hideko.
+++++
After they ate and talked at the cafe, the five part ways. Haruka and Kazuya continued their date, Hajime came back to the cinema to watch more movies, while Hideko and Yuu gone home together.
While in the way, Yuu mentioned something.
"Say, Hideko, your really sad that Kazuya has a date, right? Your really sad yet you don't want to disturb them, so you just stalked them. Am I wrong?"
"No, your wrong. I just want to confirm if they're really dating or not."
Yuu stopped walking after he heard Hideko's reply. Because Yuu stopped, Hideko stopped walking too.
"Stop fooling yourself! Your really frustrated, right? But you don't want to disturb them, you want Kazuya to find happiness! I started to respect you after what happened today!"
Hideko as if starting to match Yuu's pace, she shouted too.
"Yeah! I'm frustrated! I'm so frustrated that I could hit my head! It's so hard! For some reason, my heart aches when I'm seeing Kazuya with Haruka!"
While shouting that, Hideko started to cry. But even though she's crying, she still continued to talk her piece.
"While I'm watching them, I realized that... I'm in love with Kazuya! I'm denying it all this time! But I can't deny it anymore! I'm really in love with Kazuya!"
All this time, Hideko was denying the fact that she was in love with Kazuya. But because of the appearance of a possibility that Kazuya might get taken by an another girl, it made her realize that she really loved Kazuya.
"So what!? What if your frustrated?! Don't give up! If a girl more suitable to Kazuya appeared, then you just have to be better than her! You want to be by Kazuya's side, right? Don't give up! Because, I know, Kazuya said that Hideko was his first friend."
Hideko remembered his words. Kazuya said that Hideko was his first friend. The statement Yuu said, Hideko was enlightened by that.
"Right, Your right, Yuu, I shouldn't give up! Thanks, Yuu, I'll be taking this way! See you!"
With that, Hideko left Yuu. As he wave his hand as a gesture of goodbye, he muttered something:
"Kazuya, your unconsciously making girls cry, you know?"
Hideko reached her home and immediately shouted "I'm home!"
Her sister, Himeko, heard the shout, and told her sister to be quite.
"Big Sister, I want an advice from you."
"Advice? Sure, tell me anything."
"Big Sister, I'm In love!!!"
+++++
"The sunset is really pretty, right?"
Haruka said as she stare at the sunset with sparkling eyes. While Kazuya, on the other hand, was staring at the sunset with worried eyes. The date is over now, they came to different places, and they're about to end the date by watching the sunset. He enjoyed the date too much that he forgot something important.
He forgot how to reject Haruka politely. As he stared at the sunset, he's thinking how should he reject Haruka. After some time of thinking, the sunset was over and the night took it's place.
"So we're finished! Let's go home now."
Haruka said as she stretch her arms. Maybe she's tired.
"Haruka, I have something to tell you."
Haruka turned around to see Kazuya.
"Haruka, it seems that I can't return your feelings so..."
After he finished his words, Haruka put a finger on his lips, and said:
"I'm not demanding an answer right away. You should slowly know me. Know my personality, my up's and downs and surely but slowly, you will fall in love with me. No, I'll make you fall in love with me!"
The words she just said are cool but she's really embarrassed about it. As proof of that, her cheeks are as red as a tomato. She removed her finger on his lips, then he gave his reply:
"I see, your right. It would be rude to reject you without even knowing you. So I guess I should know you first."
"That's the way I like it!"
Kazuya closed his eyes once more then the two of them have gone home together. With that, their very first date ended. This day ended with smiles on their faces.
END OF CHAPTER 6
Author's Note: Thank you for reading! Please leave a star before leaving! See you at the next chapter!